Argentina will offer citizenship by investment: a new opportunity for foreign investment

The Argentine authorities, led by President Javier Miley, are developing a new initiative aimed at attracting foreign capital into the country's economy. According to the proposed project, foreign citizens will be able to obtain Argentine citizenship if they invest more than 500,000 US dollars in the Argentine economy. This proposal represents one of the most ambitious programs of its kind in Latin America.

New Investment Citizenship authority

It is planned to create a special agency under the Ministry of Economy to implement this initiative. It will be engaged in the verification and approval of investment projects applying for participation in the program. The agency will also work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the country's migration authorities to ensure transparency and legality of the investor naturalization process.

International context: how the golden visa works

The concept of granting citizenship or a residence permit in exchange for investments is well known all over the world. Similar schemes, often referred to as "golden visas", operate in a number of countries in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. For example, Greece offers one of the most affordable programs in the European Union.: Foreigners who invest at least 250,000 euros in real estate can obtain a residence permit for a period of five years with the possibility of extension. Moreover, having a residence permit in Greece allows you to freely move around the Schengen area, which makes this program especially attractive for investors seeking mobility.

Unlike the Argentine proposal, the Greek "golden visa" does not provide for automatic citizenship. Naturalization is possible only after seven years of permanent residence, and requires knowledge of the language and integration into society. Argentina, on the other hand, offers a much shorter path to citizenship — after two years of actual residence, subject to all the conditions of the program. This makes the Argentine model especially interesting for those who want not only to invest, but also to quickly obtain a full-fledged passport.

Migration reforms

In addition to the investment citizenship program, the government is also tightening migration rules. The new bill provides for mandatory residence in the country for at least two years before applying for citizenship, and also introduces paid conditions for access to public medical and educational institutions for foreigners. In addition, the process of deporting persons who violate Argentine law is being simplified.

Estimates and prospects

The innovation has already caused a lively debate. Supporters consider it a step towards improving the economy and increasing the confidence of foreign investors. Opponents also express concerns about the commercialization of citizenship and the possible abuse of the new rules. Nevertheless, amid the economic crisis, Argentina is striving to create new incentives for capital inflows and business activity.